霊魂ミソロジー ~ Sally

I know I always write wall of texts, but you should really read notes this time; well, if I write notes there might be a reason, no?
Oh well, notes are there, reading ’em will make this song even more awesome.

For the rest, scroll down for the translation (like usual).

I think I should’ve used the cover album on enn～淵～, but well, this one is sang by Merami, and Mamizou’s arrangement has already been translated. So.
I think I’ll start insert random images, they make posts more enjoyable, maybe?

Kinda requested by a dear friend of mine.

Mononobe no Futo. Aside the fact I’ve always forgot a “no” in her name, I don’t like her. Even if she’s loyal, awfully loyal, and trusts Miko-sama, I still don’t like her. Not that I have something against her, but is one of those character which I don’t care about. Even if I have to admit this: Minakata Sunao’s Futo is gorgeous, so far the best Futo I’ve ever seen. So well, lately grew up a little (just a little) on me. But still, I don’t like her.

And nor I like her theme. Legend of the Great Gods is one of those themes I don’t like, no idea why. Compared with the other themes, expecially Stage 5 boss themes, it’s simple not as good as the other. Maybe, it wants to sound too “regal”, but ended up to be reflect the story of Mononobe’s clan. Or well, this is my impression. I’m sorry if you think this is the “best” theme of Touhou, or you really like it, but to me, it’s not a good theme.
But even if, 霊魂ミソロジー for me is probably the best song from Sadomasochism; which sounds strange, after everything I’ve just said. But arrangements are arrangements, and are not the original themes.

It could be due to Merami’s presence, it could be due to Sally’s arrangement, it could be due to the lyrics. Whatever is the reason, I really enjoy this song. Some parts are simple incredible; they have the right amount of calm, but without being monotonous. The passage at 3:37, for me, is the best part in the song. It’s instrumental, no vocals, but I love it; it says so much, yet so little, about the song.

The lyrics too are really good. Merami truly did a great job on this one, putting lots of references (well, I say “a lot”, but they’re actually just a few, since a lot of phrases are the same), double-meanings, and different interpretations about them, depending how you read a phrase. What I love most, is that she omitted particles in some parts and this -aside the fact is a pain during the translation- is marvellous, since you can read a word as either the subject or the object, the key of the whole phrase or a mere filler.

My interpretation in this song is related to Miko-sama’s “experiment” on Futo. I’ve read the lyrics as a Futo-subjective about her thoughts right before her “sleep”, and about her decision to became a text subject. The “star” she refears to, for me it’s the “life”, which is what Miko-sama wants to achieves. Even if Futo’s aware that Miko’s offer to go to “sleep” could end with her death, she trusts the Crown Princess powers, and accepts it.
Since those are just my thoughts, you can either take ’em or throw ’em, your choice (and I won’t be surprised if there’ll be other interpretations; this song’s so ambiguos).

Notes

霊魂ミソロジー | reikon misorogii | Mythology of spirits, or Spirits’ Mythology, as you prefer. No particular notes on the title, there’s just a little reference to Touhou Ten Desires (神霊廟) but nothing else.

– “月のご招待 | I’ll rush in the moon’s invitation”; for what I’ve seen, the 「ご」 is an old-fashioned particle equal to the 「お」; considering the character, this awfully fits her (she talks in a bit old-fashioned way in Touhou’s dialogues, using some archaic words).
– “目を閉じて空想の扉 開くの | I close my eyes, and open the daydream’s door”; the verb “to close one’s eyes” is the same used also for “to die”. I’ve prefered using the verb “to close” rather than “to die”, and using “daydream’s door” as an object, but this phrase can also be read as “I die, the daydream’s door opens”.
– “生まれ変わるのMy Destiny | I’ll change My Destiny”; again, another double-meaning. The japanese part can be read as either “The birth will change My Destiny” or “My Destiny will be born again”. For the translation, I’ve prefered using a complete different meaning, reading this single phrase as a Futo’s memory about the time she betrayed her clan.
– “神話は伝承となり 語り継ぐ物語 | When a legend becomes the legend, bequeath it”; this is one of the most redundant phrases I’ve ever seen. “Legend” is actually repeated three times, while the verb “transmit/bequeath” twice. To make a plain translation, it’d be “A legend is a legend, transmit the legend” or “A legend transmits, transmit a legend”. Is so hard to translate and explain this part, since it all depends on how you want to read it. 「伝承」 can be both trasmission or legend, thus the redundancy all over the phrase. Explaining the meaning behind this for me is quite impossible, and the japanese text is actually fully of synonymouses which aren’t synonymouses (oh dear what I’ve just written). Sorry, I totally have problems in explaining this; and sorry for putting a so liberal translation, but it was basically the only way to have a phrase where you don’t say: “WTF is this?!”.

Far away, passing through space and time, I’ll change My DestinyWhen a legend becomes the legend, bequeath it.From time immemorial, the inheritance and the search of the star is Your FantasyI saw that scene in a dream; I run from the end of dreaming.

Far away, passing through space and time, I’ll change My DestinyWhen a legend becomes the legend, bequeath it.From time immemorial, the inheritance and the search of the star is Your FantasyI saw that scene in a dream; I run from the end of dreaming.

Categories

Twitter

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of all the translations and written material for any kind of commercial purpose, direct or indirect, without express and written permission from the author is strictly prohibited. All the translations and written material may be used for non-commercial purpose by giving credits to the author and a link back to this blog. All the original lyrics and illustrations are copyright by their respective authors.

Warning: translations done early 2014, unless revised, should be avoided. Anything in between early 2014 – first half of 2016 should be decent and/or still fine, unless revised, hopefully with a gradual improvement. Anything done since the second half of 2016 should be good. If you want a revision on a specific (old) translation, just let me know with a comment or message~